He isn't just a shadow.
When you hear the name Solís, your mind likely jumps straight to the flowing hair, the soulful growl, and the stadium-filling presence of Marco Antonio Solís. That makes sense. Marco is a living legend. But for those who grew up pinned to their radios in the 80s and 90s, there is another name that carries a specific, albeit quieter, kind of weight: José Javier Solís.
People often ask what really happened with Marco’s brother. Did they fight? Did he just disappear? Honestly, the story is a lot more grounded than the tabloid rumors suggest. It is a story about a man trying to find his own light while standing next to a sun.
The Percussionist in the Back Row
José Javier Solís wasn't there at the very, very beginning when Marco and their cousin Joel were performing as "Los Hermanitos Solís." He actually started out behind the scenes. He was an assistant for Los Bukis, helping with the grind of touring before he ever touched an instrument on stage.
Eventually, he asked for a shot.
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By 1982, he was officially the band’s percussionist. If you look at the cover of the album Yo te necesito, you’ll see him there. He wasn't just a "hired gun" relative; he was part of the DNA of the group during their most explosive years. He played on the tracks that defined a generation of Mexican romantic music.
But being the brother of the lead singer—especially when that singer is a songwriting prodigy—is a double-edged sword. You've got the name, but you're constantly measured against a standard that is, frankly, impossible to beat.
Why He Left Los Bukis
In 1988, Javier made a move that shocked a lot of fans. He walked away from the biggest group in Latin music.
Why? It wasn't some dramatic blowout or a fistfight in a dressing room. He just wanted to see if he could do it on his own. Basically, he wanted to be a soloist. He released an album called No me olvidarás in 1989, and here is a fact that usually surprises people: he was actually nominated for a Grammy for it in the Best Mexican-American Performance category.
He had hits. "Si Me Quieres Amar" and "Se Remata el Jacalito" did well. He wasn't a failure by any stretch. But he was fighting a tide. The industry wanted another Marco, and Javier was trying to be Javier.
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The Reality of the "Solís" Legacy
The bond between the brothers never actually snapped. While the media loves a "rivalry" narrative, Marco and Javier have shared the stage many times since. In fact, when Los Bukis did their massive reunion tour recently, Javier was right there.
There's a specific kind of nuance in their relationship. Marco has publicly acknowledged that the musicians he played with for all those years—including his brother—were the ones who gave his songs their heartbeat.
Javier's career path looks like this:
- Assistant: Learning the ropes of the road.
- Percussionist: Joining Los Bukis in the early 80s.
- Soloist: Launching a Grammy-nominated career in 1988.
- Legacy Artist: Rejoining the Bukis family for historic reunions.
He recently started a project called Mis Canciones, where he's reclaiming his older tracks with new arrangements. It's a move for creative control. For the first time, he’s the one holding the masters.
What Most People Miss
The biggest misconception is that Javier "quit" music or that he’s living in a state of resentment. Neither is true. He lives a relatively private life in comparison to Marco’s global superstar status, but he’s still deeply embedded in the Michoacán music culture where they both grew up.
He’s often called "El Otro Buki," which sounds a bit like a consolation prize, but in the world of regional Mexican music, it's a badge of honor. You don't get that nickname unless you've put in the work.
If you want to understand the Solís family, you have to look past the glitz of the solo career. You have to look at the guys who were there when they were just kids in Ario de Rosales, watching the local orchestra play on Sundays. Javier was there for all of it.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Listen to the "No me olvidarás" album to hear Javier's vocal range outside of the Bukis' harmonies.
- Watch the 2021-2022 Los Bukis reunion footage to see the chemistry between the brothers on stage; it's still very much intact.
- Check out Javier's recent solo work if you prefer a more traditional, "onda grupera" sound that stays true to the 80s roots.